I found another article on the same newspaper that says the couple has counter-sued for $50,000 for aggravation and embarrassment, plus want the billboard either shutdown at night or removed. Their lawyer made a statement that the lawsuit by the billboard company is spurious and that there is nothing wrong with the woman complaining to the advertisers about the billboard shining into their house.

I the think the term in the case may be SLAPP lawsuit. (strategic lawsuit against public participation) It doesn't mater if they have standing, it's a matter of making it painful for the complaining party by forcing them to get legal representation. Large firms may already of staff lawyers so the expense of the lawsuit may not mater to them.

From what I can gather from their website, this seems to be more of a family owned business, although maybe a fairly sizable one, rather than a large corporation. Even in the large corporations that I know about, the trend is not to have internal legal departments, but have an outside law firm on contract. I believe a particular lawyer or law firm was mentioned as representing the company and that lawyer did not talk to the press.

Then get the listing of where all this company has billboard signs, contact others with similar situations such as yours, then have your attorney make it into a case where "All" the parties are suing together.......unless it's a large corp.....it'll actually probably end up costing THEM more then "All" of us.........if that don't work, relocate a few termite colonies.....

Then get the listing of where all this company has billboard signs, contact others with similar situations such as yours, then have your attorney make it into a case where "All" the parties are suing together.......unless it's a large corp.....it'll actually probably end up costing THEM more then "All" of us.........if that don't work, relocate a few termite colonies.....

And the attorneys -- on both sides -- will have big smiles. The homeowners are looking for relief from light trespass, not a second mortgage to pay attorney fees for a vastly expanded complaint.

There is an electronic LED billboard along the highway I drive to and from work. Also along this road are a McDonalds, Burger King, Walmart, and 6 car dealers. This billboard is a good half mile up the road from those stores but I can still see the distinct purple glow from that sign through the light of all those parking lots from THREE MILES away while driving at night.We are in desperate need of legislation protecting people from light trespass. There has to be a limit on direction, location, and intensity of lighting.I hope these folks can counter sue to get the sign removed, or have the lighting turned off.

There is an electronic LED billboard along the highway I drive to and from work. Also along this road are a McDonalds, Burger King, Walmart, and 6 car dealers. This billboard is a good half mile up the road from those stores but I can still see the distinct purple glow from that sign through the light of all those parking lots from THREE MILES away while driving at night.We are in desperate need of legislation protecting people from light trespass. There has to be a limit on direction, location, and intensity of lighting.I hope these folks can counter sue to get the sign removed, or have the lighting turned off.

They have done just that. They have asked for $50,000 for aggravation and embarrassment and for the sign to be either turned off at night or removed.

Not the entire state! One has been installed on Route 17 by the I-84 Interchange. It is actually facing the NB Rt. 17 lanes while going down a hill! I was quite surprised this has happened. I hope this is not a harbinger of things to come.

The only comment that I'd care to make before having a closer look at the matter is that in my opinion the defendants erred in failing to take prompt legal action aimed at mitigation of/relief from a nuisance, i.e. light trespass, choosing instead to contact the advertisers over a period of time to voice their complaints regardingthe billboard. Of course, they have every right to peacefully voice their concerns to those purchasing space, but that will not prevent a lawsuit if a court finds that the advertising company has standing, which it apparently has so determined.

This looks like a classic SLAPP by the lawyer for the billboard company, and unfortunately, these homeowners are going to get put in the wringer, financially and mentally, by the legal process and court system. Some states have anti-SLAPP laws on the books to prevent this kind of abuse.

What states are anti-SLAPP ? Would someone post a few names or maybe a list?.....Clear Skies ----- Silveradogold